Bless'er House

Holiday Home Tour 2014: A Cozy Eclectic Christmas

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Merry Christmas, dear friends!

I’m so excited that you’re here today! Come on in and pour yourself something hot to drink.
But wait…I guess I’m getting ahead of myself.
If you’re visiting from Joy In Our Home‘s Holiday Home Tour, welcome! It’s so nice to “meet” you.
Luckily for you, if you’ve escaped from the blistering cold of the north, we have sunny skies and 50 degree weather here in South Cackalacky (“Carolina” if you’re giving me a crazy look right now).
It’s very rare that we get to use this sled on our porch here, but it has a special place in my heart. It was my mother’s when she was little, I enjoyed it during the “big snows” as a kid (all 10 inches of it usually), and it is now being passed down to my daughter.
But anyways, we don’t have to stand here on my porch all day. Come on in.

If you haven’t meandered over to my corner of the bloggy world before, our little family of three just moved in to our builder grade cookie cutter home exactly 1 year ago almost to the day. You can see our full progress tour here. And as we’ve been decorating for Christmas, it blows me away how much we have done on such a small budget (with thanks mainly to thrift store and Craigslist finds).

Exactly one year ago, this room was a plain white box. No furniture, paint, fireplace…nothing.

We are so giddy to even have a mantel to hang our stockings on this year.

Even though we usually don’t get a white Christmas around here, there is one thing about nature in the South that I absolutely love. Fraser Firs grow here! And they smell just as amazing as they look.
Since we have mainly invested in tons of home improvement projects this year, we really didn’t splurge much on Christmas decorations. So we ended up making ornaments by printing photos from the time Robert and I got engaged to present day.

I have to say, even though it was an idea for “tree filler” on the cheap, I think I want to keep this tradition by updating our tree with photos from the year. I loved every second of decorating our tree because we got to reminisce a bit. I want to squeeze this squishy little newborn Olivia here! 

We busted out a few Christmas arts and crafts last week too. Pinterest, you rock my world with your amazing ornament DIYs.

Okay, giving you the grand tour of every single ornament could take days, so I’ll move on.
I’m so psyched about actually having this mantel to play with. It is no easy feat trying to decorate around a TV above our fireplace (there’s really no other place to put this monstrous thing), but sometimes necessity is the mother of invention. Making decor practical is just as important as making it beautiful, right?

We don’t actually have a working fireplace (we built it for less than $600), but we don’t usually need one anyway. We’ll pretend these logs will keep us warm. 😉

I know I mentioned we have a family of three, but shame on me…I forgot to count our nutso dog Lola. (She thinks she’s human, so we might as well give her a stocking too.)

Can you tell I’m obsessed with our fireplace? I’ll stop now. I guess you get the idea.

 My absolute favorite spot though is actually this cozy little corner.

You caught me in the middle of writing a letter to Santa. I can explain. Really, I can! Eating dessert before dinner and staying up way past your bedtime is totally acceptable. I think he of all people would understand.

Although, my mom and I might be on the naughty list for picking leaves from a magnolia tree to make into this wreath. But we were just doing someone a favor by pruning it for them, right?

Oh, by the way, if you’re liking that vintage map and Ansel Adams print for super cheap, you can check out how to DIY them in those handy little links there.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without curling up in an easy chair with our squirmy toddler and reading a story. Dickens might be a bit much, but we’ll give her the short version.

You might have already seen our rustic entryway from earlier this week. It’s still a work in progress, but I had to dress up our fabulous Craigslist discovery- that reclaimed wagon bench.

Since Santa hasn’t arrived yet, we don’t have very many presents under the tree. But these two little mysteries are leaving me guessing.

Hang up your scarf and stay a while. We’re not quite finished.

Feel free to grab a bite at our kitchen table. You don’t even have to ask to raid our fridge.

But if you want a soda, I’m sorry to say I used up all of the bottles for our centerpiece. Kidding!

Hey, you can even stay for dinner in our dining room if you want. Just check the menu board in our kitchen to see if you’d want a bite.

If you couldn’t tell, we’re a bunch of bookworms in this house.

But our hallway chalkboard is sporting a verse from our favorite book of all. It reminds us what this season is really all about.

And our nativity scene in our foyer keeps our focus on what’s most important to remember at Christmas.

I guess that about does it. I truly wish you a blessed Christmas.


It was lovely to have you! I hope you visit again soon! Pop in anytime.

Be sure to check out the rest of these wonderful blogger friends’ holiday home tours. Today officially wraps up the tour.

Holiday Home Tour hosted by www.joyinourhome.com 18 Homes/5 days


Thank you so much, Kendra, for inviting me to join in on the fun! It definitely whipped me into shape to get moving on my Christmas decor this year.
A Holiday Home Tour at www.joyinourhome.com Come join us as 18 fabulous bloggers open their homes to you this Christmas!   
– Monday –
A Holiday Home Tour at www.joyinourhome.com Come join us as 18 fabulous bloggers open their homes to you this Christmas!  
  – Tuesday –
A Holiday Home Tour at www.joyinourhome.com Come join us as 18 fabulous bloggers open their homes to you this Christmas!  
– Wednesday –
A Holiday Home Tour at www.joyinourhome.com Come join us as 18 fabulous bloggers open their homes to you this Christmas!    
– Thursday –
A Holiday Home Tour at www.joyinourhome.com Come join us as 18 fabulous bloggers open their homes to you this Christmas!   
– Friday –

Blessings,

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Comments

  1. Lanita Anderson says

    This is my favorite Christmas tour by far – I love all of your decorations and great ideas!!! There are too many favorites to name…..the fireplace, the comfy nook, your dining room table, the window chalkboard, the tree…. Thanks for sharing and for all of the great ideas.
    Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!
    Lanita

    Reply

  2. Vicki Fenton says

    Lauren your home is gorgeous! Don’t even get me started on that fireplace and stacked wood…genius! Personally, my favorite is the typewriter vignette – great job! It’s been so wonderful sharing tour week with you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Reply

  4. Iris Watts says

    Lauren, your home is absolutely beautiful! Seeing it all now, I can’t say I have a favorite, because I love it all! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! So glad to “meet” you through this process. Hope we can stay in touch. Have a wonderful holiday!

    Reply

  5. Mary K. says

    Beautiful home and beautiful decorations and ideas on a budget. That’s what I love about your blog. But the best part of your blog is the writing… you have such a way with word. Merry Christmas and God bless your family!!

    Reply

  6. Rebekah Schwind says

    Lauren, I have been anxiously awaiting your home tour and it did not dissappoint! You cottage is sooo charming. I adore every bit of it. One question: the lamp next to the typewriter. Did you make it? and if not, where did you get it? Love the idea of putting up pictures on your tree!
    Rebekah @ Charming Imperfections

    Reply

  7. Amy Lee says

    Wow! Just WOW! Can I move in with you? I love your home, and it looks amazing decorated for the holidays! So many special touches (the photograph ornaments, letter to Santa, the chalkboard verse) – love it all, Lauren! It’s been fun “touring” with you!

    Reply

  9. Christine Vandormolen says

    Hi Lauren, what a delight to take your tour first thing (well almost first thing) in the morning. You have super style and I shall be pinning a bunch here for inspiration!!! I love that little corner too…..so cozy !!! HUgs from WA
    Christine from Little Brags

    Reply

  13. Lindi V says

    LAUREN!!! I LOVE your home!! Thank you SO much for sharing! The typewriter, the book with words on the side, the chalkboard frames – love it all! And that nativity scene is exactly what I’m looking for! Where did you find it? So wonderful “meeting” you too!
    Lindi @ Love Create Celebrate

    Reply

  14. Amanda Fettig says

    Stuningly gorgeous, Lauren!! I love every single spot in your home!! Loving your little vignette with the typewriter, and that wreath is to die for! And I love your idea for your Christmas tree, so cute! So glad we got to do this home tour together; I loved getting to see more about your home and family!

    Reply

  19. Carrie says

    Your home looks so warm and inviting and the Christmas decor is perfect, it just blends in perfectly. I really love the wreath on your front door and that note on the typewriter, genius! Your fireplace is gorgeous too with all of the wood. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  20. Canary Street Crafts says

    I love your tour, Lauren!! I LOVE your chalkboard window! I have an old window in my garage that I haven’t decided what to do with and I’m seriously thinking about making it just like yours. You have a gorgeous home and I’m amazed at all you’ve done with it in a year! -Amy

    Reply

  23. Melanie Gets Married says

    Lauren, I love your home! The front porch is to die for, and the rest of the house looks just as amazing! I love the sled and ice skates outside, as well as the wreath on your front door! I might have to make one of those next year! Happy to be a part of this tour with you 🙂

    Reply

  25. Jamie Hoover says

    I have to say….Your house is one of my favorites through this entire holiday of house tours. You always create rooms that I would feel at home in. I can’t even pick a favorite part because I like it all! Merry Christmas Lauren!

    Reply

  28. Sarah Bennet says

    I was searching for some great christmas decoration ideas as i have to set some stockings on fireplace. Thanks to you I find some great ideas. I must say you did a great job by shaing detail pictures of each and every style you added into this place.

    Reply

  29. Annalise Anderson says

    I must say I love that wicker log basket, it is beautiful with rustic vibe. Could you please tell me where to get one like this size? I tried looking it up on Amazon they have different styles, I need the same one. Thank you for creative blog post

    Reply

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